Interactive Test

Top Tip

There is often confusion over whether to use a comma before a coordinate conjunction (e.g., and, but).
When a coordinate conjunction ends a list of three or more things, it all depends on whether you're following the Oxford Comma convention. For example:

Coffee, milk, and sugar

(This is correct for those following the Oxford Comma convention.)

Coffee, milk and sugar

(This is correct for those not following the Oxford Comma convention.)

When a coordinate conjunction ends a list of just two items, you should not use a comma (unless it helps your reader.) For example:

Coffee and milk

(This is correct for everyone.)

Coffee, and milk

(This is wrong for everyone.)

However, when the conjunction joins two clauses, use a comma if both of the clauses are independent clauses. For example: